State freezes insurance rate increases after Michael

Gov. Rick Scott directed the state’s top insurance regulator to freeze potential property-insurance rate increases for 90 days as homeowners and businesspeople grapple with massive damage from Hurricane Michael.

Scott also directed Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier to rescind all policy non-renewals or cancellations for 90 days if they’d been issued in the days leading up to Michael so policyholders more time to find coverage. In addition, insurance policyholders will be given an extra 90 days to provide required information to insurers.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many policyholders could be affected by the directives. But state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis pointed to the massive damage caused by Michael.

“Entire communities have been wiped off the map,” Patronis, a Panama City native, said in a statement. “I can’t say this enough: The damage is catastrophic. As our neighbors and communities assess the damage and start recovering, the last thing they need to worry about is if their insurance coverage will be dropped for non-payment. Our focus is saving lives, restoring power and repairing communications system. I’m calling on insurance companies to keep that at the front of their minds and not take advantage of this disaster.”

It remains too early to pinpoint the amount of damage caused by Michael. But as an indication, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued a preliminary estimate Thursday that said insured losses could total $2 billion to $4.5 billion.

The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has set up temporary centers in Panama City and Tallahassee to help policyholders with claims. The centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at a Sam’s Club at 1707 West 23rd St. in Panama City, and at a Walmart Supercenter at 4021 Lagniappe Way in Tallahassee.

Insurance claims will take months to play out.

Shorter term, state and local officials are focused on issues such as restoring electricity, with utility crews converging on Northwest Florida from various parts of the country. As of noon Sunday, 191,361 utility customers lacked power, according to Scott’s office.

“We know that our customers are counting on us, so they can begin rebuilding their lives,” Stan Connally, chairman, CEO and president of the Pensacola-based Gulf Power said in a prepared statement. “We are working safely and aggressively around the clock to get the lights back on.”